The Catholic community in Phoenix, along with leaders across the city, are mourning the loss of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after a 12-year tenure as the head of the Catholic Church. Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix shared in a reflective piece with ABC15, the moment when he was informed about the Pope's death, indicating while it was not shocking, it was a moment that called for profound reflection on the impact of Francis' Papacy.
Reflecting on his experience meeting the Pope, Bishop Dolan mentioned his second meeting in 2020 was particularly poignant, as he advocated for mental health issues, describing it as "tremendously personal." According to an ABC15 interview, Dolan praised the late Pope for his pastoral approach, and the courage to bring such pressing issues to the forefront of the Church's consciousness. Meanwhile, Mayor Kate Gallego expressed her condolences in stark terms, "[Pope Francis] was more than the head of the Catholic Church—he was a lifelong unwavering advocate for human rights, and exemplary example of how to use one’s life to do good," she wrote, highlighting his legacy as an advocate for the marginalized and a proponent of human rights.
In his statement mourning the Pope, Dolan described Francis as "a shepherd to the world," and lauded his attention to the "poor, the marginalized, migrants, refugees, and the displaced," according to a press release posted by 12 News. His approach to the papacy was grounded in encounter and listening, forming the foundation for his recent Synod on Synodality which provided a roadmap for the Church. "‘Todos, todos, todos,’ he would say—everyone belongs in the conversation, for the Church is the home of all," Bishop Dolan recalled from Francis's inclusive vision.
The Pope's legacy is also marked by his stern challenges to world leaders and influential figures, urging them to remain true to the moral imperatives of the Gospel and live with the 'smell of the sheep' upon them, a call he embodied himself. "He lived this call himself, reaching out with tenderness and compassion to all of God’s children" Dolan wrote, "Now, in this Jubilee Year of Hope, we hear his voice once more: Do not despair. Hope in God will not disappoint," as per 12 News.
